We’re getting a photo voltaic eclipse and capturing stars on the identical day. How to see this summer time’s cosmic double whammy

Mark your calendars for August 12, 2026, as a result of there’s going to be one thing of a celestial double whammy seen that day – and you do not want any elaborate package to see it.

On today, the Moon will cross immediately in entrance of the Sun, giving us a view of a spectacular photo voltaic eclipse throughout North America, the UK and Ireland and continental Europe.

Then because the Sun units and night time falls, Earth will cross via particles left behind by a comet, producing probably the greatest meteor showers of the 12 months.

For newbie stargazers, this can be a date for planning forward – and hopefully one to recollect.

During the day, we’ll see a photo voltaic eclipse. The similar night time we’ll see one of the prolific capturing star occasions of the 12 months. And the 2 occasions are linked.

Here we’ll stroll via every one and reveal find out how to take advantage of the double celestial present.

The daytime photo voltaic eclipse

A photo voltaic eclipse happens when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, briefly blocking the ‘photo voltaic disc’ (or not less than a part of it) and casting a shadow onto our planet.

On August 12, 2026, a complete photo voltaic eclipse will happen, however not everybody on this planet will get to see it.

For each complete photo voltaic eclipse, there’s an imaginary skinny ‘path of totality’ stretching throughout Earth and, in case you occur to be standing inside that path, you will see a complete photo voltaic eclipse.

During a complete photo voltaic eclipse, the Moon fully covers the Sun, plunging daytime into twilight darkness for a couple of minutes and making a surreal, eerie twilight environment.

Outside the trail of totality, you will see the Moon cowl some – however not all – of the Sun, producing a partial photo voltaic eclipse.

• In the trail of totality: the whole eclipse will sweep throughout components of Greenland, Iceland and Spain, which means in case you’re in these nations, you should not need to journey too far to see totality
• Outside the trail of totality: If you aren’t in that slender observe, don’t be concerned. Surrounding areas together with the remainder of Europe, components of North America and north Africa will see a partial photo voltaic eclipse, the place the Moon will appear to be it has taken an enormous ‘chew’ out of the Sun.

Where to see it

Spain is arguably one of the best place to see the whole photo voltaic eclipse, as a result of the trail of totality stretches proper throughout the northern a part of nation and throughout the island of Mallorca.

From North America, the August 12, 2026 partial photo voltaic eclipse is finest seen in japanese Canada and northeastern US. Nowhere in North America will see a complete photo voltaic eclipse on this date.

You can discover out extra about find out how to see it in our North American information to the August 2026 photo voltaic eclipse.

Because the eclipse occurs within the late afternoon and night, observers in western Europe will get to witness a uncommon and exquisite sight: a partially-eclipsed Sun sinking onto the western horizon.

In the UK, many main cities will see over 90% of the Sun coated by the Moon, with Glasgow, Belfast, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, Cardiff and London being among the many finest UK cities to see it.

In the Republic of Ireland, Dublin will see about 94% of the Sun obscured, whereas Cork will see as much as 96%.

Viewing the photo voltaic eclipse

Observing a photo voltaic eclipse means wanting immediately on the Sun, and in case you assume that sounds harmful, it’s!

When observing a photo voltaic eclipse, eclipse glasses have to be worn. These comparatively cheap items of kit filter out the overwhelming majority of the Sun’s dangerous rays, enabling you to securely view the entire occasion.

If you are observing throughout the path of totality – the place you will see a 100% complete photo voltaic eclipse – you possibly can theoretically take off your photo voltaic eclipse glasses in the mean time of totality, when the Sun is totally blocking the Sun, however they have to be worn earlier than and after totality.

And that is the case even at sundown. It may look like the early night Sun is dimmer and fewer dangerous, however it’s not. Solar eclipse glasses have to be worn.

You must also ensure you solely purchase properly-made, licensed photo voltaic eclipse glasses – and all the time examine your photo voltaic eclipse glasses for tiny holes or tears earlier than use.

Find out extra in our information on how to ensure your eclipse glasses are protected.

If you do not have photo voltaic eclipse glasses and the eclipse is approaching, learn our information on find out how to safely view a photo voltaic eclipse with out photo voltaic eclipse glasses.

Nighttime capturing stars – the Perseid meteor bathe

As the Sun units and the eclipse pleasure winds down, prepare for the second a part of the present.

Every 12 months from mid-July to late August, Earth passes via particles left behind by an enormous ball of rock and ice generally known as comet Swift-Tuttle.

When this occurs, tiny grains of cosmic mud slam into Earth’s environment, producing capturing stars, or meteor trails, in an occasion generally known as the Perseid meteor bathe.

The Perseid meteor bathe is without doubt one of the better of the annual meteor showers as a result of it produces plenty of meteors and in addition as a result of it peaks round 12/13 August, making staying up previous midnight – when one of the best meteors are to be seen – extra tolerable than doing the identical in the course of winter.

Perseids are additionally identified for producing fireballs: further vivid, dramatic meteors that go away glowing trails throughout the sky.

And the excellent news is that the meteor bathe is seen throughout the Northern Hemisphere – so even in case you weren’t in a position to see the photo voltaic eclipse, you possibly can nonetheless see a Perseid.

You can discover out extra in our information to the Perseid meteor bathe.

Why the eclipse will make the Perseids even higher

The pairing of those two occasions is a lucky coincidence, as a result of the truth that the Perseid meteor bathe peaks concurrently the photo voltaic eclipse will make Perseids even simpler to identify.

A meteor bathe’s success will depend on a number of issues – and one of many components is the Moon.

To see faint, streaking meteors, you want the darkest sky attainable. That means getting away from mild air pollution and in addition observing when the Moon is out of the best way.

A vivid full Moon acts like pure mild air pollution, washing out all however the brightest capturing stars.

Solar eclipses, by definition, happen throughout new Moon – when the Sun and the Moon are in the identical patch of sky – and new Moon is one of the best time to see a meteor bathe.

That’s as a result of throughout new Moon, the Earth-facing facet of the Moon stays in darkness, which means there isn’t any lunar glare to spoil the present.

As nicely as this, throughout new Moon, the Moon units across the similar time because the Sun, which means it will likely be beneath the horizon from sundown to dawn.

How to observe the eclipse and meteor bathe

Protect your eyes through the day

Never look immediately on the Sun with out photo voltaic filters or specially-made eye safety.

You should use licensed eclipse glasses to view the partial phases of the eclipse.

If you are within the path of totality, the one time it is protected to take away them is through the temporary couple of minutes when the Sun is 100% coated – however even then, warning have to be taken.

Even if the Sun is 99% coated by the Moon, that is nonetheless a partial photo voltaic eclipse and eclipse glasses have to be worn for the entire occasion.

Use your bare eye at night time

When the Perseid meteor bathe peaks later that night time, you must observe together with your bare eye.

Binoculars or a telescope will slender your area of view. Meteors can streak throughout any a part of the sky, so it pays to maintain your area of view as large as attainable.

Let your eyes alter

The photo voltaic eclipse requires only a clear view of the Sun and – as talked about – licensed photo voltaic eclipse glasses.

The Perseid meteor bathe requires a transparent view of the entire night time sky, but additionally a scarcity of synthetic mild.

Luckily, the Moon can be out of the best way – as mentioned above – however you must nonetheless do as a lot as attainable to make sure you’re observing the Perseid meteor bathe beneath really darkish skies.

That means getting away from mild air pollution. And that would imply leaving your city or metropolis and travelling to a extra rural location, or it may merely imply going to your native park or enjoying area – supplied it is protected to take action at night time.

It additionally means avoiding your cellphone, as it will spoil your night time imaginative and prescient.

If it is advisable discover your means, use a crimson mild torch, as a result of crimson mild higher preserves your night time imaginative and prescient.

Observe with family and friends – you will want firm at the moment of night time and also you’re extra prone to see meteors collectively as a bunch.

Give your eyes not less than 20 minutes to regulate to the darkness and you may see extra meteors.

This August is promising to be celestial spectacular. A photo voltaic eclipse by day and the height of a shocking meteor bathe at night time.

Sometimes the Universe is sweet to us!

Share your pictures and observations of the photo voltaic eclipse or Perseids by emailing [email protected].